8 Best Probiotics For Acne That You Can Try In 2024

Add the good bacteria to your skin to minimize inflammation and prevent acne issues.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD Dr. Rosmy Barrios Dr. Rosmy BarriosMD facebook_iconlinkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by Krati Darak, MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach Krati Darak MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Edited by Medha Deb, Integrated MA Medha Deb Integrated MA linkedin_icon Experience: 5 years
Fact-checked by Shiboli Chakraborti, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Shiboli Chakraborti MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Last Updated on

Acne is a skin condition that can be annoying, painful, and irritating. Acne is mostly caused due to inflammation or the imbalance between bad and good bacteria on the skin. Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD and medical advisor for the Health Reporter, says, “Bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the skin form an invisible ecosystem called the skin microbiome, which can become disrupted if not taken care of, resulting in acne breakouts. One effective way to rebalance the microbiome is to use good bacteria, otherwise known as probiotics.” Probiotics help normalize the bacteria ratio in the gut, which helps in calming inflamed skin. Once the inflammation is dealt with, you can wave goodbye to acne and say hello to clear and healthy skin with the ideal skin health. This article has everything you need to know about using probiotics for acne. We have also listed the 8 best probiotics that can be highly beneficial for different skin types. Scroll down to check them out.

Products
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Best Overall: TULA Skincare Clear It Up Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel
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Best Skin-Restoring Formula: Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
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Best Hydrating Formula: Glowbiotics Probiotics Acne Treatment Cleanser
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Best Dermatologist-Tested: Probiotication Clarity In Balance Spray Probiotic Skin Care
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Best Chemical-Free: NXN Acne Edit Toner
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Best Affordable: TULA Probiotic Skin Care Breakout Star Oil-free Acne Moisturizer
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Best Organic: appleBIOTIC Apple Cider Vinegar Probiotic Facial Toner Pads
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Best For Brighter Skin: GLOWBIOTICS Probiotic Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment
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8 Best Probiotics For Acne In 2024 For Radiant Skin

1. Best Overall: TULA Skincare Clear It Up Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel

Formulated with salicylic and azelaic acid, this probiotic acne skin care product solution helps to effectively clear acne and acne-related problems while also preventing breakouts. While the salicylic acid unclogs pores and exfoliates the skin, the azelaic acid gets rid of bacteria from the pores, minimizing pore congestion. As dry and dehydrated skin is prone to acne-induced inflammation, this cleaning and correcting gel helps to prevent dryness by keeping the skin moisturized and hydrated, while fading dark spots and pigmentation. Just a few spritzes of this probiotic gel regularly can help you achieve smooth, clear, and healthy skin, as attested by many reviewers.

Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 1.6 x 1.3 inches; 3.21 Ounces

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Pros
  • Contains salicylic acid
  • Fades dark spots
  • Reduces dryness
  • Hydrates the skin
  • Helps to make the skin smooth

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Cons
  • Salicylic acid may irritate extremely sensitive skin.

2. Best Skin-Restoring Formula: Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser

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4.5
Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser Image: Eminence

If you are looking for a cleanser that deeply purifies the skin, you need not look further than this one. This cleanser helps eliminate acne by removing the extra layer of dead skin cells and excessive oils and is tested to be suitable for all skin types. When inflammations occur, they increase the size of pores on the skin, which ultimately causes a breakout. This cleanser unclogs pores and also shrinks them to restore your skin’s natural texture, promoting skin clarity. The cucumber scent is refreshing and the willow bark extract in the formula calms and soothes the skin. If you want to know more about this product based on a tester’s experience, check out this video on YouTube.

Skin Type: acne-prone | Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 1.6 x 5.4 inches | Weight: 8.4 Ounces

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Pros
  • Revitalizes and restores skin
  • Soothing qualities
  • For all skin types
  • Purifies the skin

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Cons
  • It may take a long time for results to show.

protip_icon Caution
If you have acne-prone skin, do not use a cleanser multiple times a day, as it can irritate the skin and lead to further breakouts. Wash it once in the morning and once at night instead.

3. Best Hydrating Formula: Glowbiotics Probiotics Acne Treatment Cleanser

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4.4
Glowbiotics Probiotics Acne Treatment Cleanser Image: Glowbiotics

This probiotic treatment for acne works in a unique way to fight skin inflammation. Sometimes acne is caused by residues found on the skin’s surface, other times, by the imbalance of bad bacteria over good skin-friendly bacteria. Whatever the case may be, this probiotic aids in getting rid of the problem. The cleanser gently removes residues without leaving the skin dehydrated. Blending menthol and eucalyptus, this treatment cleanser comes as a breath of relief for acne-prone skin. According to multiple reviews, it also helps to deal with other underlying skin issues, leaving your skin glowing, as the name suggests.

Skin Type: Acne-prine | Product Dimensions: 1.81 x 1.81 x 5.63 inches | Weight: 6.56 Ounces

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Pros
  • Hydrating qualities
  • Tested to be suitable for teens
  • Refreshing minty fragrance
  • Contains eucalyptus oil

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Cons
  • It may not be easy to rinse off.

4. Best Dermatologist-Tested: Probiotication Clarity In Balance Spray Probiotic Skin Care

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4.1
Probiotication Clarity In Balance Spray Probiotic Skin Care Image: Probiotic Action

This acne spray treatment helps in getting rid of acne breakouts by strengthening the skin and protecting it from harmful agencies trying to penetrate into the skin. This topical probiotic spray does just that. It provides all the good bacteria your skin needs to remain healthy and eliminates bad bacteria that cause skin issues like acne. This product is also great because it is mindful of sensitive skin. When 50 million probiotics in a single ml come in contact with the body, they help to successfully return the skin to its natural state. Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, this spray also helps to reduce inflammation.

Skin Type: Sensitive, Acne prone, oily skin, dry skin | Product Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.38 x 4.75 inches | Weight: 2.4 Ounces

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Pros
  • Tested to be suitable for eczema and rosacea
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Tested to be suitable for all skin types
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Tested to be suitable for daily use

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Cons
  • It may take a long time to show results.

5. Best Chemical-Free: NXN Acne Edit Toner

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It is important to always be mindful of what we put on our skin, because the skin absorbs almost 60% of what we put on it. Chemicals, sulfates, and parabens can be harmful to the skin in the long run. Lucky for you, this product does not contain any harmful ingredients and helps you fight acne with natural ingredients. Key ingredients like gotu kola possess fatty and amino acids proven to protect the skin against harmful toxins and environmental aggressors. It also contains apple fruit extracts that help improve the appearance of skin, while vitamin B helps to restore your skin’s health. These acne-fighting ingredients make this probiotic toner remarkable, and distinct from the others.

Skin Type: Combination, Sensitive

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Pros
  • Natural ingredients
  • Alcohol and chemical-free
  • Anti-aging benefits
  • Unclogs pores
  • Contains witch hazel and green tea extracts
  • Helps regulate sebum production

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Cons
  • It may not be best suited for dry skin.

protip_icon Pro Tip
Store your facial toners in the refrigerator to cool down the formula. Applying the toner chilled can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness. It also makes the toner last longer.

6. Best Affordable: TULA Probiotic Skin Care Breakout Star Oil-free Acne Moisturizer

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4.6

This moisturizer helps fight acne by repairing broken and affected skin. The clinically-proven moisturizer also prevents further breakouts. This acne moisturizer is lightweight, and the skin absorbs it all without leaving a residue that can cause further damage to the skin cells. It is oil-free, and so when applied, you do not need to worry about your skin feeling greasy and sticky. The combination of both watermelon and the aloe in its formula help to ensure that the skin receives ample hydration.

Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.16 x 1.77 x 1.69 inches; 1.7 Ounces

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Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Oil-free
  • Contains salicylic acid
  • Soothing properties

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Cons
  • Some may find the scent overpowering.

protip_icon Pro Tip
Always apply a moisturizer on slightly damp skin to lock in the skin’s natural hydration and help the moisturizer get absorbed better.

7. Best Organic: appleBIOTIC Apple Cider Vinegar Probiotic Facial Toner Pads

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 appleBIOTIC Apple Cider Vinegar Probiotic Facial Toner Pads Image: Applebiotic

These facial toner pads contain probiotics that combat acne like a pro. The product combines both modern and natural constituents to eliminate acne and brightens and freshens up the skin. It is tested to be suitable for teens going through an unrelenting acne period, and also adults facing severe acne issues. Once the pads are used to cleanse the face, the solution goes straight in to reinvigorate the skin cells and tissues that have been broken down by acne.

Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal

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Pros
  • Reinvigorates skin
  • Helps to stabilize the pH of the skin
  • Organic
  • Paraben-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Soothing pads

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Cons
  • It may not wipe off waterproof makeup effectively.

8. Best For Brighter Skin: GLOWBIOTICS Probiotic Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment

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3.9
GLOWBIOTICS Probiotic Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment Image: Glowbiotics

This miracle solution contains potent skin-clearing ingredients that fight acne-causing bacteria and destroys them. It helps not only to combat acne, it also helps to restore the texture of the skin. The restorative probiotics it contains strengthen the skin and helps to restore radiance. Its active ingredients combine to form a powerful solution that makes the skin glow from within. With this probiotic, skin problems caused by acne are totally fought off, restoring a better and brighter skin texture.

Product Dimensions: 1.38 x 1.38 x 4.63 inches | Weight: 3.21 Ounces

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Pros
  • Non-drying formula
  • Contains eucalyptus oil
  • Phthalate-free
  • Unclogs pores

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Cons
  • Slightly expensive

How Does A Probiotic Work For Acne?

Probiotics are good microorganisms that benefit us. They can either be bacteria or acne. Acne can occur when there is an imbalance. That is, when the bad bacteria are more than good bacteria. Because probiotics contain good bacteria, they help to return balance and subsequently, help to halt acne and serve as a skin protective shield.

How To Choose The Best Probiotics For Acne?

In choosing the best probiotics, you have to understand probiotic strains and how they work whilst also understanding how different they are in terms of uses and functionality. For certain conditions, learn about the best probiotics that apply to that particular condition.

To prevent eczema

Research has shown that the most effective probiotic strain to prevent eczema is the L. Rhamnosus. It was shown that the children of women who were supplemented with the L. Rhamnosus during childbirth is less likely to develop atopic eczema.

To control Inflammation

Studies indicate that the L. plantarum strain helps control inflammation and regulates immunity. Based on a study, results indicated that L. Plantarum provided effective relief to abdominal pain.

To reduce acne

L. acidophilus is one of the most widely used and researched probiotics strains. A clinical study was carried out with about 300 patients and it was documented that about 80% of the patients observed a degree of clinical improvement, particularly effective in inflammatory acne.

How To Use Probiotics For Acne

The most popular way probiotics are being taken is through oral consumption. However, this can lead to some inflammation within the digestive tract depending on the individual. A direct way of using probiotics is to incorporate it into your daily skin care routines as a skin product. Dermatologist-tested creams, oils, serums, and moisturizers are several channels through which probiotics can be infused directly into the skin.

Benefits Of Probiotics For Acne

  • It protects the skin from environmental damage by creating holes in bad bacteria, thereby killing them.
  • Probiotics calm internal inflammation by reducing it and balancing healthy bacteria on the skin. Bacteria that cause acne breakouts promote inflammation on the skin but probiotics counters this by keeping the lining of your digestive tract smooth and robust.
  • It helps the skin’s barrier function whilst limiting the growth of bad bacteria
  • Reduces redness and irritation.

People with acne-prone skin should use probiotics as they balance out the healthy bacteria ratio while minimizing redness, itch, and skin inflammation. Some probiotic skin products also unclog pores and exfoliate the skin while nourishing, hydrating, and moisturizing it at the same time. The Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser offers a gentle and organic cleansing option, while the NXN Acne Edit Toner helps regulate sebum production and offers anti-aging benefits. If you want smooth, clear, and healthy skin, probiotic gel creams must have a top spot in your skin care regime. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, you should avoid probiotic products containing salicylic acid.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Krati Darak, the author of this article, is a skin care enthusiast who loves to review products and recommend them to her readers. Her top picks are mostly based on studying the products in detail and reviewing the user feedback. The best probiotics for acne-prone skin mentioned in this article are the perfect solution to your acne issues. They help heal and manage acne.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do probiotics help with acne?

Yes, probiotics help to get rid of acne. They effectively suffocate acne, and help to restore radiance. You can also take a skin health probiotic supplement for acne along with skincare products to improve the efficacy. There is a gut-skin connection and the problem could be internal. Probiotics consumption helps in balancing gut bacteria and may help in targeting hormonal acne.

Is probiotic cream good for acne?

Probiotics can be administered orally and externally on the skin. When administered externally, it can be in the form of sprays, and lightweight moisturizers and they can help. So, yes, probiotic acne creams like other forms of probiotic application can be good for acne.

Can probiotics worsen acne?

Probiotics are usually used to get rid of acne, they help in reducing acne breakouts, and the inflammation that causes acne. Users of various probiotic products have testified to the efficacy of probiotics. However, there are instances where the side effects of probiotics have led to causing more acne. For instance, many probiotics are not designed to survive stomach acid and digestion, this can cause some complications and result in more acne. Also, most probiotics do not state the strain used in the particular probiotic, and using different strains can over stimulate the immune system and cause acne.

Do probiotics help clear skin?

Yes. Effective use of probiotics have proven to help clear skin of acne and to eliminate the breakout and inflammation that cause skin problems.

How long does it take for probiotics to work?

Getting rid of acne depends on the skin type. There is no specific time. It can take a couple of weeks for some people, for others, it might take a couple of months. It really just depends on the skin. However, it is generally faster than any natural acne remedy.


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Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, is a medical advisor for the Health Reporter, the head of the anti-aging department at IM Clinic, and a regenerative medicine specialist at Swiss Medica with over 10 years of experience in aesthetic medicine and cosmetology.

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Krati Darak
Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.

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Medha DebCommerce Editor
Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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